Spice rack



United States Patent O 3,186,558 Y SPICE RACK Lane E. Horstmann, 3408 Douglas St., Midland, Tex.

f Filed May 31, 1963, Ser. No. 284,735

3 Claims. (Cl. 211-8S) This invention relates to a box-holding means and more particularly to a means for holding space boxes in such manner that they are readily and easily available for use. s

Although my invention is described herein with refererence to a simple device for holding small boxes of spices, it is to be emphasized that such device is so explained for illustrative purposes only, and that my invention is in no way limited to such use.

When in themidst of cooking a number of things at one time and it is important to season a particular food being cooked at a -particulan time, any cook can testify to the need for a handy place for the salt, pepper, spices,

v or other ingredients usedrin small'quantities lin the food.

Too, it is important that the ingredient be readily available and in such a location that the cook need not fumble around and waste time nding what is necessary. Usually, as most cooks are aware, these ingredients are kept in a drawer, on a shelf, or other inaccessible place.

Accordingly, a principal object of my invention is to provide means for storing said spices and the like in such manner that they are accessible when needed.

Another object of my invention is to provide such means which are conveniently located and out of the way from other products.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide such means which will permit the containers in which the spices and the other such items are kept to be always in view and easily removed from the container.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such means which constitute a safe and permanent storage facility for such items.

Additional objects will be apparent from a study of the following disclosure and the attached claims in conjunction with the attached drawings', wherein;

FIG. l is a perspective view of my invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational, side view of the holder.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention.v

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, my spice rack 10 appears as it would when not containing any boxes of spices.

Spice rack 10 is comprised of a backplate 11, a plurality of partitions 13 and seats 15, and a plurality of partitions 14 and seats 15.

Partitions 13 and 14 are rectangular members, while seats 15 are triangular members in cross-section secured to partitions 13 or 14 at 17. The vertical surface 16 of seats 15 is secured to backplate 11 in such manner that partitions 13 or 14 are inclined at an angle to backplate 11 such as the angle 21, which I have found in practice to be most convenient in the magnitude of 40 degrees from the backplate 11.

Of course, when seat 15, secured to partition 13 or 14, is secured to backplate 11, surface 18 of the seat becomes a surface on which a box or other item may rest.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 partitions 13 and seats 15 are aligned vertically in a iirst column while partitions 14 and seats 15 attached to partitions 14 are aligned vertically in a second column adjacent to the first column. Furher, it will be noted that the partitions in the two columns are staggered in such manner that partitions 13 are intermediate partitions 14, vertically. Further, between each two partitions 13, or each two partitions 14, is a space 22.

As so designed, a spice box or other small box may be inserted between each two partitions 13, or each two par- 3185,55 Patented .lune 1, 1965 titions 14, and its lower surface will rest against surface 18 of seat 15. Too, the box cannot move from one column to the other since it will be prevented from doing so by the partition 13 or 14 adjacent to it.

Rack 10 is adapted by hole 12 or other attachment means to be secured to a vertical surface, such as a cabinet door, wall, or the like. When the rack is attached to a door which may be opened and closed, it has been found expedient to provide means for preventing the boxes from being moved from the side of the rack except when such is desired. `Accordingly, I have found it convenient to attach a llexible, yet reasonably rigid, wire 30 to backplate 11 as at 31 and 32,.` Of course, a wire such as 30 can be secured to both sides of the backplate for this purpose. This wire can be exible enough to permit it to be ilexed away from the edges of the partitions 13 or 14- when desired. Further, a solid plate may be secured to the backplate in lieu of wire 30 and be hinged thereto in such manner that it can be swung away from the partitions 13 or 14.

I have illustrated this portion of my invention with two columns of partitions 13 and 14. Of course, any number of such columns could be assembled on backplate 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a modified form of my invention is shown.' The partitions 13 and 14 and Vseats 15 are identical to the same elements previously described herein.

In this form of my invention I have provided a slot 23 which extends from upper member 26 to lower member 29. Its width extends from surface 24 to surface 25. Inserted in slot 23 is adjustable backplate 27 which can move vertically within slot 23 but which is so attached to backplate 11 that it cannot be removed from slots 23 unless the backplate is disassembled.

As shown, partitions 13 are positioned on adjustable backplate 27 so that they are in the same relative position with respect to partitions 14 as described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, should it be desired to increase the width of a partition, adjustable backplate 27 may be moved upwardly within slot 23 until the upper edge 27a of adjustable backplate 27 makes contact with surface 26. At this time a pin (not shown may be inserted in hole 28 against which the lower end of adjustable backplate 27 rests. At that time one of partitions 13 will be in line with and parallel to one of partitions 14 throughout the heighth of each column.

Of course, a number of slots 23 may be provided in backplate 11 and an adjustable backplate 27 may be secured in each such slot.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the column of partitions 14 is not movable as is the column comprised of partitions 13. As noted above, a small box containing spices (not shown) may be laid on each partition 13 or partition 14 with its bottom surface resting on surface 18 of seat 15.

From the foregoing, it is seen that by my invention I have provided an improved means for storing boxes of spices easily accessible.

Also, I have provided an improved means for conveniently locating such items.

Further, I have provided an improved means whereby such containers are easily removed for use.

Also, I have provided such means which is a safe and permanent storage facility for the containers.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangment of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the attached claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A spice rack, for holding boxes, comprising: a backplate, a plurality of vertically aligned rst seats secured in Sa column to said backplate, a partition memberV set cured to each of said first seats, a' plurality of vertically aligned second seats secured .to said backplate in a column parallel to the column of said first seats, and a partition memberV securedto each of said second seats, theA vertical space between'eachv two partition members "being such asto accommodate one of said boxesk wherein the partition members of one ofsaid columns arey stag-j gered with respect tothe partition members of the other of said columns in such manner that one of said boxes cannot move from one of said columns to the other of said columns Y 2.'A spice Yrack, for holding boxes, comprising: a

' backplate, a plurality of vertically aligned rst seats secured in a'column to said backplate, a partition ymember secured @to eachof said first seats, a plurality of vertically aligned second seats secured tosaid backplatein a column Y parallel to the column of said rst seats, a partition membersecured vto each ofV said'secondseats, the vertical space between each two partition membersrbeingf such as -to accommodate one of said boxes,l and movable vmeans secured to said backplate, extending lengthwise of lsaidY backplate,.and vpartially covering the outer side of each` of said partition members. Y l

3. A spice rack for holding boxes comprising: a backplate, a first columnfof a plurality of vertically alignedV seat members with a partition'member secured to thev lower surface of each of said seat members and extendingoutwardly and angularly, from said: backplate, an

adjustable backplate secured'inil and movable vertically- Y References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES `Prx'fllq'fs CLAUDE'A; ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SPICE RACK, FOR HOLDING BOXES, COMPRISING: A BACKPLATE, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY ALIGNED FIRST SEATS SECURED IN A COLUMN TO SAID BACKPLATE, A PARTITION MEMBER SECURED TO EACH OF SAID FIRST SEATS, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY ALIGNED SECOND SEATS SECURED TO SAID BACKPLATE IN A COLUMN PARALLEL TO THE COLUMN OF SAID FIRST SEATS, AND A PARTITION MEMBER SECURED TO EACH OF SAID SECOND SEATS, THE VERTICAL SPACE BETWEEN EACH TWO PARTITION MEMBERS BEING SUCH AS TO ACCOMMODATE ONE OF SAID BOXES WHEREIN THE PARTITION MEMBERS OF ONE OF SAID COLUMNS ARE STAGGERED WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTITION MEMBERS OF THE OTHER 